@John *********

for another year or two this is true. USA will be back to 2-2.5% in two years. But yes interest rate are good and now now to cover agency. In three years everyone will ask how to not use an agent for renewal. For me it’s . I see the argument today if using either method

Think we need a DTV group. This has a lot of interest. I assume 3 day cooking class doesn’t get you visa. But I could be wrong. Let me know if anyone gets a visa with 3 day classes. 6 month classes are not cheap either Muay Thai or cooking. We are only one month into this new visa. Nobody has posted leaving and returning experience. I read (which can be wrong 90% of the time). The immigration officer at airport can ask for proof of money in bank to get visa exempt stamp. I am sure not very often if true because would slow down the processing at airport. But like someone said the embassy and IO are not always on same page. But how much information is in the computer for IO to review. I would guess not the company you work for. But if requirement is 500,000 they could ask to see that every time. But based on the interview by Chris it didn’t appear likely. But that interview seemed to good to be true. I am sure there will be changes because this is one of the easiest visa in Thailand and could be higher abuse levels. I am truly surprised they did 5 years and not one or two. Seems like retirement visa should be 5 years. They already have 90 day check in so all they do is look to see if you have 0baht. I am sure they could make a system to have bank report any accounts dropping below acceptable level and then email visa holders.

Has anyone tried the soft option

@Ziggy *****

wow ok 👍🏽

@Ziggy *****

ah ok thought they added one day to maybe get agent out of the process. I guess for now the same with no restrictions

I read there no more restriction but must leave one day. Is this true or you do a same day bounce

Medical surgery?

Or like dental work?

Either way good luck with treatment heard the hospitals are good in Bangkok

@Bob *********

that is the only thing we know for sure. If you watch it every day it will drive you crazy

Yeah looks like most currenties

Aussie dollar down 5.3%

UK 3.1% down

Euro 2.9% down

Dollar 3.5%

Canadian 4.4% down

UK is still higher than last year and took until February for it to get above 45. If anyone knew they would be rich from FX trading. In the past year all these currencies have dropped to these levels 2 or 3 times. My opinion which is not worth much is the current levels are more normal. The level one or two months ago were overly weak for the Baht. Let’s hope the increase in people visiting and moving doesn’t push up inflation and in turn will make Baht stronger both whammy. Look at Mexico for example. In the course of two years the peso appreciated 15-20% plus was battling 11% inflation. So within a short time period things were costing over 30%. So, I worry about Thailand being overrun. But Bali has same problem as a surge in people moving there but it currency is vs dollar. Three years ago was . So, 15% depreciation for Rupiah. But was told things are expensive in Bali. I have not been yet. We have many things going on right now. We had a time of 15 years no inflation. Now banks will be lowering rates. This effect currency, usually more short term. There an over reaction on the markets plus people making money on the news. Plus USA has huge debt which hurts the dollar. But for the world we have geopolitical things going on. Thailand is never involved usually in world events so other currencies can be effected. But I never see people complaining when Baht was weakening from March to June. If you take out those months we are back to were we were before (2023). If exchange worries you move to Cambodia. They use USD as much as Riel and riel doesn’t move a lot. But living outside your country currency changes is part of life. If you rate is in Baht take and prepay rent when Baht weaker. Take cash out of ATM for 3 months. All we know is it goes up and goes down. Not sure it is a straight down from here. Should stabilize in a week or two. Assuming no major events

@Tommy *******

the excitement is understandable

be interesting to see how things develop. I think I read, maybe I am wrong that tourism numbers are down still from pre-covid. But the revenue is down even more because each tourist is spending less. I would guess maybe 🤔

I think in last 5 years people want more vacation time or work remotely. So vacationers are looking at bang for buck. Also there was many remote workers before Covid but now it is many. But, it seems online jobs are fewer and fewer now. If not a programmer or AI engineer the opportunities are fewer because companies are shifting back to in office. It seem before Thailand was only wanting the elite traveler. Now they want more of all people.